Propulsion and gas-moving systems using travelling-wave gas dielectrophoresis
US10392134B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 2, 2018 |
| Grant date | Aug 27, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 2, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/411
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A propulsion system for an orbiting vehicle such as a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite includes a set of surfaces over which a gas passes during orbital flight, and a plurality of electrodes on the surfaces. The electrodes are configured to create an electric field having a spatial field pattern in response to field signals, experienced by passing gas molecules as an oscillating field having a frequency on the order of a polarization-resonance frequency of the molecules to impart a propulsive traveling-wave dielectrophoretic force to the passing molecules. The electrodes extend over sufficient area to impart sufficient traveling-wave dielectrophoretic force to the gas to overcome aerodynamic drag and thereby sustain orbital flight of the vehicle. A power source applies the field signals to the electrodes, providing sufficient power to overcome power lost to aerodynamic drag and thereby sustain orbital flight.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.